To study the effects of elderspeak on people with mild to moderate dementia, Dr. Williams and a team of researchers videotaped interactions in a nursing home between 20 residents and staff members. They found that when nurses used phrases like “good girl” or “How are we feeling?” patients were more aggressive and less cooperative or receptive to care. If addressed as infants, some showed their irritation by grimacing, screaming or refusing to do what staff members asked of them.
The researchers, who will publish their findings in The American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, concluded that elderspeak sent a message that the patient was incompetent and “begins a negative downward spiral for older persons, who react with decreased self-esteem, depression, withdrawal and the assumption of dependent behaviors.”
Dr. Williams said health care workers often thought that using words like “dear” or “sweetie” conveyed that they cared and made them easier to understand. “But they don’t realize the implications,” she said, “that it’s also giving messages to older adults that they’re incompetent.”

I’m really glad that the NYT addressed this – and I think that an ageism/sexism combo probably really adds to the “sweetie” effect as well.
I like Ellen Kirschman’s response: “As I get older, I don’t want to be recognized for my age. I want to be recognized for my accomplishments, for my wisdom.”

To avoid stereotyping, Ms. Kirschman said, she often sprinkles her conversation with profanities when she is among people who do not know her. “That makes them think, This is someone to be reckoned with,” she said. “A little sharpness seems to help.”

Heh, nice. Before my grandmother (my Nanny Ann) passed away, when she was sick with dementia, she would often curse up a storm and get pissed when babied by her caretakers. An example: She was on the phone with my sister and the woman who was caring for her was making her mad. Vanessa sat there in horror as dear Nanny Ann screamed, “Leave me alone, you whoremaster!” and “Stick it up your hole!” The call ended when with my very frustrated Nanny saying “Ah fuck it,” and hanging up. Oh, Nanny, I miss you.

#MeToo detractor Andrew Sullivan is back in New York Magazine this week with his latest gripe about those pesky feminist harpies. This time, he argues, “left-feminists” have gone too far in refusing to accept what Sullivan says is the scientific, biological truth that men are naturally sexually aggressive.

Frankly, Andrew Sullivan hasn’t been relevant since 2011, when he was best known for peddling race science, so you may want to take his “it’s just science!” defenses of the structural inequality with a grain of salt. But he’s not the only #MeToo critic to advance the idea that ...

Why is one of New York City’s biggest tabloids illustrating their story about cops who allegedly raped a teenager with Facebook photos of the survivor in a bikini?

Last week, an 18-year-old woman came forward to report that two New York cops raped her in a police van after she was pulled over while driving with two friends. According to her lawyer, the detectives sent her friends away, claimed they were searching for drugs, and ordered her to undress; when they didn’t find any drugs, her lawyer says, they handcuffed and raped her. The story came to light last week, after the detectives, Richard Hall and Eddie Martins, were moved to desk duty.

This is a horrifying story of state ...

Why is one of New York City’s biggest tabloids illustrating their story about cops who allegedly raped a teenager with Facebook photos of the survivor in a bikini?

On Tuesday, former New York State Senator Hiram Monserrate narrowly lost a campaign for a seat on New York City Council. Despite his loss, the fact that voters were willing to forgive and forget Monserrate, a known abuser, at the ballot box is concerning.

In 2009, Monserrate sliced his girlfriend’s face with broken glass and then dragged her through the lobby of his apartment. Prosecutors charged that Monserrate — an ex-cop and ex-Marine — attacked his girlfriend Karla Giraldo after finding another man’s business card in her purse. Though Giraldo objected to the case moving forward, Monserrate was convicted of misdemeanor assault

On Tuesday, former New York State Senator Hiram Monserrate narrowly lost a campaign for a seat on New York City Council. Despite his loss, the fact that voters were ...

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